Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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1469. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the development of a vaccine alliance, aimed at boosting the uptake of childhood vaccines and reducing vaccine hesitancy, which was first launched by the then-Minster for Health in September 2019 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29793/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Vaccine Alliance, chaired by the Department of Health, was launched in late 2019. The then chair of the Alliance convened a Vaccine Advocate Forum to offer information to organisations that had an integral role to play in the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. This event took place in December 2020.

The initial aim of the Alliance was to raise awareness about the benefits of Ireland’s childhood vaccination programme, address vaccine hesitancy and ensure consistent messaging to stakeholders.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of the Alliance shifted to include COVID-19 vaccines, addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation relating to COVID-19 vaccines. This work was primarily undertaken by members of the Alliance taking part in HSE stakeholder events relating to COVID-19 vaccine rollout. In addition, the HSE established the COVID-19 Vaccine Community Network in February 2021 to support uptake of COVID-19 vaccines.

The Department and the HSE work closely together to support further work towards improving vaccine uptake.

The HSE's National Immunisation Office (NIO) have been engaged in various initiatives to try to improve primary childhood immunisation uptake including facilitating training for healthcare professionals in how to talk to people about vaccines and additional information about the new Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme, including a toolkit for GP practices and information on the ingredients of vaccines and plain English and translated materials.

NIO are also conducting a 2 year project with ERSI to investigate behavioural drivers of vaccination for primary childhood immunisations. In addition, NIO are working closely with Traveller Primary Healthcare workers and Traveller Health Units, Pavee point, Roma Health Network, Cairde and Akidwa.